The challenges faced by Pakistan today
are multifaceted and complex. They are due to conflicts, scarcity of natural
resources, and under investment in human capital, compounded by the global
economic recession. Historic data as well as research has proved that quality of
human capital is also a core determinant of the progress of a nation on all
parameters. Demographic profile is to be improved on all levels so as to rear
human resource at a faster pace. There exists a close and statistically strong
association between investment in human development indicators such as education
and health and economic growth. According to one estimate, one additional year
of schooling leads to 0.3% faster annual growth over a 30-year period.

Vested interests, unequal distribution
of wealth and power, lack of land reforms, inadequate access to justice, and low
investments in health and education have all contributed to the human
development problems that Pakistan currently faces. Structural changes need to
be made. They cannot be achieved overnight, but now is the time for us to stake
out the direction. Female education and female labour force participation rates
are areas where Pakistan has begun to focus only recently. The agenda for
poverty reduction and better income distribution can hardly make any headway
unless investment in and management of education, health, nutrition, drinking
water and sanitation take a discrete jump from their present levels. The public
sector has been unable to meet this challenge.

EDUCATION:

Education is the prime component of
human resource development and has always been emphasized by the international
donors as well as domestic economists to play a central role for the successful
development of Pakistan. The plight of education in Pakistan is grim and
depressing. Progress realized at all levels has been meager and this is for two
main reasons: the investments in education have been too low and the schooling
age population has been growing too fast. Economic growth is directly correlated
with magnitude of state schooling spending, together with private investment. In
Pakistan the education system is absolutely divided into many tiers. Most of
them are not equipping children with quality education. In addition to schools
the government has to emphasize on vocational training and skilled labor
development programs.

Another dilemma of our nation is the
inclination of best quality and highly educated work force towards developed
countries, a phenomenon commonly called brain drain. Practically this migration
can be seen amongst doctors, scientists, educationists, engineers, executives
and other professionals across frontiers. Besides other factors these people are
tempted to migrate because of meager resources allocated for research and
development. The funds allocated for these activities in developing countries
like Pakistan are not sufficient which lead to rust the intellect of these
people. According to UNESCO reports there prevails enormous disparity in the
distribution of resources for science and technology between developed and
developing economies' GDP. Pakistan is the second country in the world with the
highest number of children who do not go to school as was revealed in UNESCO's
education for all global monitoring report 2007. This is not only due to the
poverty faced by the person which forces them to send their children to
contribute to the household income instead of schooling them but also because
approximately 37% of children of less than five years of age suffer from stunted
growth.

It has been realized by the present
administration that investing not only in primary education but also in higher
education, in the training of civil servants and in science and technology will
not only improve the economic conditions of Pakistan, but also create a better
understanding of the global community in Pakistan.

HEALTH:

The health indicators of Pakistan are
poorer than others in the region. Several fatal diseases like malaria,
Hepatitis, Gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders are very common. Serious
efforts are needed to combat the health problems. Increased productivity is an
indicator of economic growth and this can be achieved through greater investment
in labor and capital. However, investment in capital can only be fully utilized
if there is a healthy and educated workforce available in the economy.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:

Female population has always been
suppressed and exploited but never been defeated by the male chauvinist society.
he current United Nation Development Report based on statistics of the year 2006
placed Pakistan at 148th position out of 157 countries surveyed to gauge the
level of gender inequality. The criterion was the ratio of gender development
index (GDI) to human development index (HDI) in a given year. Many challenges
are lying ahead for this part of the society. For instance the burden of raising
children and making a marriage work is disproportionately on women. Pakistan is
desperately in need of achieving the targets to realize the millennium
development goals (MDGs). However the goals that directly or indirectly affect
the health and education of deprived female population of the country have not
been able to get the attention and resources they deserved.

CONCLUSION:

Pakistan had made headway in reviving
its economy during previous years by achieving macroeconomic stability, resuming
the path for high growth, introducing deep-rooted structural reforms and
improving governance. But the challenges facing the economy ahead are still very
daunting. Political will can play a critical role in further helping us meet
these challenges. US also ought to shift its support from conventional aid to
market access, investment, technology transfer, education and training,
scientific research and infrastructure development. This new relationship is in
conformity with the demands of the globalized economy and the development
aspirations of Pakistan.